London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has become the first and only hospital in Canada to implant a new extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) during clinical trials. This global study has since led to Health Canada approving the device, with supporting research published in the New England Journal of Medicine and most recently in Circulation.
Each year in Canada, approximately 25,000 pacemakers and 7,000 ICDs are implanted, making it crucial for patients to have access to devices that enhance both comfort and health outcomes. A total of 356 patients across 46 medical centers in 17 countries participated in the study, confirming the safety and efficacy of the EV-ICD procedure for treating life-threatening arrhythmias.
Through Dr. Jaimie Manlucu, Cardiac Electrophysiologist at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), McCulloch was enrolled in a clinical trial for the Medtronic Aurora Extravascular ICD (EV-ICD) device, a new and innovative defibrillator that was being studied for current and future cardiac patients. Dr. Manlucu, also a scientist at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI), was a key member of the International Steering Committee and site Principal Investigator on the pivotal trial.
(Written by: C. Soares)